April 25, 2004

Alma Vázquez is still serving the Hispanic community in Upper East Tennessee, but her duties recently changed slightly, when her position came under the umbrella of Catholic Charities of East Tennessee.

The Diocesan Hispanic Ministry Council decided to make the switch because of the strong pastoral presence provided by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (“Ad Gentes” Sisters) since they began serving in the area in fall 2002.

“We thought she would be most effective for the overall ministry [at Catholic Charities],” said Jack Kramer, a council member and until recently the diocese’s longtime director of Hispanic Ministry.

Mrs. Vázquez, the administrative assistant for the office since 2001, will continue working in the same building in Jonesborough that houses the deanery division of Catholic Charities.
             Alma Vázquez

“I am still involved with all the parishes of the Five Rivers Deanery,” she said. “Everything else remains about the same except the pastoral part. The sisters are going to be taking care of that. There is still a big need to help with social services in the deanery.”

That leaves plenty of tasks for Mrs. Vázquez to handle.

“There is no typical ‘day at the office.’ There were some days when I came in and thought, I don’t have anything to do. I’m just going to receive calls and take it easy, but forget that! Somebody will call from the hospital or call about funerals, a lost job, or a driver’s license—it could be many things.”

Ms. Vázquez may still be reached at P.O. Box 323, Jonesborough, TN 37659; 423-913-8072, 800-346-9302; fax 753-5260; or almav5rivers@aol.com. Her office is at 703 E. Jackson Blvd. in Jonesborough.

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